• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.34
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• pp.12.1-12.11
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• 2022

Background: Gender equality in the workplace remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the gender gap of human resources in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Korea. Methods: Several national statistical data that can confirm the gender distribution of personnel in the OSH sector were reviewed. The gender distribution of industrial technical manpower statistics, professional certificate holders in the OSH field, and the status of the appointment of safety and health managers by industry was analyzed. Results: The distribution of professionals in the OSH sector in Korea had a large gender gap with a small number of women. In particular, the proportion of women in the safety field was lower than that in the health field. In the younger age group, while the proportion of women is increasing, the gender gap tends to decrease. Conclusions: Few data are available to understand the gender-related aspects of OSH professions. Nevertheless, our results provide basic information for initiating a discussion on the necessity of establishing gender-sensitive culture and policies in the OSH sector.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.216-221
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• 2014

Background: Mental health complaints are quite common in health care employees and can have adverse effects on work functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate an e-mental health (EMH) approach to workers' health surveillance (WHS) for nurses and allied health professionals. Using the waiting-list group of a previous randomized controlled trial with high dropout and low compliance to the intervention, we studied the pre- and posteffects of the EMH approach in a larger group of participants. Methods: We applied a pretest-posttest study design. The WHS consisted of online screening on impaired work functioning and mental health followed by online automatically generated personalized feedback, online tailored advice, and access to self-help EMH interventions. The effects on work functioning, stress, and work-related fatigue after 3 months were analyzed using paired t tests and effect sizes. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight nurses and allied health professionals participated at pretest as well as posttest. Significant improvements were found on work functioning (p = 0.01) and work-related fatigue (p < 0.01). Work functioning had relevantly improved in 30% of participants. A small meaningful effect on stress was found (Cohen d = .23) in the participants who had logged onto an EMH intervention (20%, n = 26). Conclusion: The EMH approach to WHS improves the work functioning and mental health of nurses and allied health professionals. However, because we found small effects and participation in the offered EMH interventions was low, there is ample room for improvement.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.284-290
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• 2020

Background: Prevalence rates of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among firefighters are remarkably high and substantially higher than similar occupational groups and the general U.S. population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of fire service personnel regarding cancer and its associations with tobacco and SLT use. Methods: This descriptive study used a qualitative approach. Key informant interviews were conducted in 39 career firefighters and fire service administration from across the U.S. Discussion were recorded, transcribed verbatim and transferred to NVivo software for narrative analysis. Topics explored included cancer perceptions, attitudes and beliefs, and cultural factors related to SLT use behaviors. Results: Major themes that emerged among fire service personnel included concerns about cancer and its risk factors including firefighting tasks, such as fire overhaul operations, and from their lifestyle behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. Firefighters also suggested a number of reasons for their increased SLT use, such as fire department tobacco-free policy and fire service culture. Conclusion: The current study provides a rich foundation for future research, prevention, and intervention efforts for the fire service and research communities regarding tobacco and SLT use and cancer risk. Additional research on firefighters' cancer beliefs deserves future research in order to improve messaging about the risks of cancer due to firefighting.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.449-457
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• 2023

Objectives: This study investigated the association between baseline exposures to particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 microns (PM_2.5) and subsequent temporal changes in PM_2.5 exposure with the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Royal Thai Army personnel. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using nationwide health check-up data from 21 325 Thai Army personnel between 2018 and 2021. Multilevel mixed-effects parametric survival statistics were utilized to analyze the relationship between baseline (i.e., PM_2.5-baseline) and subsequent changes (i.e., PM_2.5-change) in PM_2.5 exposure and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess this association while considering covariates. Results: There was a significant association between both PM_2.5 baseline and PM_2.5-change and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a dose-response manner. Compared to quartile 1, the HRs for quartiles 2 to 4 of PM_2.5-baseline were 1.11 (95% CI, 0.74 to 1.65), 1.51 (95% CI, 1.00 to 2.28), and 1.77 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.93), respectively. Similarly, the HRs for quartiles 2 to 4 of PM_2.5-change were 1.41 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.75), 1.43 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.81) and 2.40 (95% CI, 1.84 to 3.14), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to existing evidence regarding the association between short-term and long-term exposure to PM_2.5 and the incidence of diabetes among personnel in the Royal Thai Army.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) guide for maintenance tasks in semiconductor processing, specifically focusing on etching, deposition, and ion implantation processes. Methods: The development of the OSH guide involved a literature review, consultations with industry experts, and field investigations. It concentrates on Maintenance Work (MW) operations in these specialized areas. Results: The result is a detailed OSH guide tailored to MW in etching, deposition, and ion implantation facilities within semiconductor processing. This guide is structured to assist maintenance workers through pre-, during and post-MW phases, ensuring easy comprehension and adherence to safety protocols. It highlights the necessity of safety and health measures throughout the MW process to protect personnel. The guide is enriched with real-life scenarios and visual aids, including cartoons and photographs, to aid in the understanding and implementation of safety and health principles. Conclusions: This OSH guide is designed to enhance the protection of workers engaged in maintenance activities in the electronics sector, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. It aims to improve compliance with safety and health standards in these high-risk environments.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.140-143
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• 2018

Background: The Occupational Safety and Health Monitoring and Assessment Tool (OSH-MAT) is a practical instrument that is currently used in the German woodworking and metalworking industries to monitor safety conditions at workplaces. The 12-item scoring system has three subscales rating technical, organizational, and personnel-related conditions in a company. Each item has a rating value ranging from 1 to 9, with higher values indicating higher standard of safety conditions. Methods: The reliability of this instrument was evaluated in a cross-sectional survey among 128 companies and its validity among 30,514 companies. The inter-rater reliability of the instrument was examined independently and simultaneously by two well-trained safety engineers. Agreement between the double ratings was quantified by the intraclass correlation coefficient and absolute agreement of the rating values. The content validity of the OSH-MAT was evaluated by quantifying the association between OSH-MAT values and 5-year average injury rates by Poisson regression analysis adjusted for the size of the companies and industrial sectors. The construct validity of OSH-MAT was examined by principle component factor analysis. Results: Our analysis indicated good to very good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.64-0.74) of OSH-MAT values with an absolute agreement of between 72% and 81%. Factor analysis identified three component subscales that met exactly the structure theory of this instrument. The Poisson regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant exposure-response relationship between OSH-MAT values and the 5-year average injury rates. Conclusion: These analyses indicate that OSH-MAT is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used effectively to monitor safety conditions at workplaces.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2019

Background: Lead (Pb) exposure in shooting ranges has been reduced by various measures such as jacketed ammunition and lead-free primers. Nevertheless, this may lead to exposure to other metals, potentially resulting in adverse health effects. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 35 subjects from seven different shooting ranges were studied: four shooting instructors, 10 police officers, 15 Special Forces, and six maintenance staff members. Metals and metalloids were determined in blood and urine by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results: The concentrations of most elements did not differ significantly between groups or compared to reference values, except for Sb and Pt in urine and Pb in blood. Mean values for Sb were considerably higher in urine from the Special Forces ($0.34{\mu}g/L$), the maintenance staff ($0.13{\mu}g/L$), and shooting instructors ($0.32{\mu}g/L$) compared to the police officers before shooting ($0.06{\mu}g/L$) and a Belgian reference value ($0.04{\mu}g/L$). For Pt, the Special Forces showed higher mean urinary concentrations ($0.078{\mu}g/L$) compared to a Belgian reference value (<$0.061{\mu}g/L$). Mean values for blood lead were markedly higher in the Special Forces ($3.9{\mu}g/dL$), maintenance staff ($5.7{\mu}g/dL$), and instructors ($11.7{\mu}g/dL$) compared to police officers ($1.4{\mu}g/dL$). One instructor exceeded the biological exposure index for blood Pb ($38.8{\mu}g/dL$). Conclusion: Since both Pb and Sb were found to be higher in shooting range employees, especially among frequent shooters, it is advisable to provide appropriate protective equipment, education, and medical follow-up for shooting range personnel in addition to careful choice of ammunition.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the present status of the work performance of the construction industry health managers and the developmental direction for the construction industry health management. Methods: The subjects of this study were 149 health managers working in the construction industry. Data of a total of 130 participants were analyzed by excluding the missing data among field workers. The contents of the survey were the characteristics of the workplace, the difficulties and requirements of health management, and the level of job performance. Results: The factors affecting measuring work environment task were age, number of workers, number of safety managers, and lack of support from the headquarters. The factors affecting managing work environment and physicochemical harmful factors were age, type of contract and conflicting business opinions. The factors affecting implementing health examination were age, type of contract, and number of safety managers. The factors affecting healthcare were age, type of contract, number of safety manager, presence of healthcare room, and conflicting business opinions. Conclusion: It is necessary to provide practical guidance and practical resources, and education for strengthening capacity. The support for business owners and managers support is needed.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.34-54
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• 1995

Occupational health services in Korea have been operated as dual types: one is operated by occupational health care manager and the other is health care agency without their own personnel. The performance of occupational health service should be different due to the variety of characteristics of health care manager and workplace, qualification of health care manager. This study is to analyze performance of occupational health care services with a particular consideration of job, based on comparing those two types of health care management to show on the basic data for the settlement of more qualitative. health care management system at workplace. For this study, total 391 places in Seoul and Inchon city area: 154 places (39.4%) managed by designated. health care manager and 237 places (60.6%) by the agency with their commission are selected as research samples. Tools for data collection are questionnares have been investigated during the period of 20 September 1993-20 December 1993. Those data are compared with percentiles, mean, standard deviation due to the characterstics of each variable and analyzed for impacting factors with relation to the using multiple regression analysis using SPSS PC program, especially using t -test method in order to compare each type of health care management. Conclusions observed from the tests and each comparison could be summerized as follows : 1. Occupational health care have been accomplished at workplaces with designated people than with agencies people, and coverage rate of the occupational health care services has differences, due to management types. The reason of these results is due to visit only one or two times monthly by the agencies, while their own health care manager obsess, at the workplaces all the times. 2. The common sickness management is the most accomplished item in health care area of occupational health care services, while the preventive care and control for the workers who have serious health problems are insufficient in workers health care area. 3. An insufficient accomplishment of overall health education has been shown because it is difficult to perform health education due to almost no chance of the direct introduction at workplaces. Therefore a strong support system for making and supplying the media is necessary in order to activate indirect health education by means of media. 4. Because health care managers and the agencies managers where take the workplaces for this study are almost nurses who have been comparatively high work site rounding rate about an environmental management at the workplaces, that non-profession can also do it, the activities about the professional area not enough. Therefore, an appropriate referral system should be established in order to complement professional area. 5. Two factors which have an effect on the coverage rate of occupational health care services are : one is those from the workplaces such as type of services, the number of workers, the number of harzadous factors and safety & health committee, the other from health care organization about whether there is its own manager or not.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore health care workers awareness and performance of standard precautions. Methods: Participants were 296 health care workers including nurses, physicians, and medical technicians. Awareness and performance of standard precautions were measured with 4-point Likert scales. The data were analyzed with t-tests and one-way ANOVA by using SPSS 18.0. Results: The mean scores of awareness were 3.72 in nurses, 3.62 in physicians, and 3.47 in medical technicians. There was a significant difference of awareness by occupational classification (F=12.39, p<.001). The mean scores of performance of standard precautions were 3.45 in nurses, 3.19 in physicians, and 3.23 in medical technicians. There was a significant difference of performance by occupational classification (F=10.98, p<.001). In addition, the score of performance of standard precautions was significantly lower than that of awareness (t=11.89, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that awareness and performance of standard precautions were different by occupational classification. To improve performance of standard precautions in hospitals, it is necessary to provide a distinct infection control program by occupational classification.